Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the escalating tensions between the U.S. and China, particularly in the context of trade and technology, highlighting the impact of U.S. threats on the stock market and China's strategic responses [1][3][5]. Group 1: U.S.-China Trade Relations - Following Trump's threats of imposing tariffs on China, the U.S. stock market experienced a significant drop, with a loss of approximately 5.4 trillion RMB [1][3]. - The U.S. initially threatened to impose tariffs and restrict technology exports but later expressed a desire to negotiate with China, raising questions about the sincerity of these negotiations [1][3]. - China's Ministry of Commerce emphasized that its regulatory measures aim to protect national security and international interests, indicating a willingness to approve applications that meet certain criteria [1][5]. Group 2: China's Strategic Position - China maintains a responsible approach in handling U.S.-China relations, focusing on long-term mutual benefits, while accusing the U.S. of undermining bilateral relations [3][5]. - The Chinese government has stated it does not seek a trade war but is prepared to retaliate if U.S. actions continue to harm its interests [5]. - China's control over rare earth exports, which began on October 9, positions it advantageously in the tech sector, as these materials are crucial for modern technology [5][7]. Group 3: U.S. Economic Challenges - The U.S. faces significant internal challenges, including rising debt and fiscal deficits, which hinder its economic growth and complicate its stance in trade negotiations [3][7]. - The article suggests that continued reliance on tariffs and sanctions may ultimately harm the U.S. more than China, as China's trade foundations have become robust, with ASEAN surpassing the U.S. as China's largest export market [3][5].

Group 1 - The Shanghai Stock Exchange Sci-Tech Innovation Board Semiconductor Materials and Equipment Theme Index decreased by 0.53% as of July 17, 2025, with mixed performance among constituent stocks [1] - The Sci-Tech Semiconductor ETF (588170) fell by 0.69%, with the latest price at 1.01 yuan, but it has seen a cumulative increase of 5.86% over the past month, ranking in the top half among comparable funds [1] - Despite recent adjustments in the semiconductor sector, the Sci-Tech Semiconductor ETF has experienced continuous net inflows over the past four days, totaling 24.38 million yuan, with a peak single-day net inflow of 16.21 million yuan [1] Group 2 - The Sci-Tech Semiconductor ETF (588170) tracks the Shanghai Stock Exchange Sci-Tech Innovation Board Semiconductor Materials and Equipment Theme Index, encompassing hard-tech companies in the semiconductor equipment and materials sectors [2] - The semiconductor equipment and materials industry is a significant area for domestic substitution, characterized by low domestic substitution rates and high potential for domestic replacement, benefiting from the expansion of semiconductor demand driven by the AI revolution [2] - The demand for domestic lithography machines is expected to rise due to the construction boom of domestic wafer fabs and the rapid development of AI, with lithography machine acquisition costs accounting for 21%-23% of total equipment investment [1][2]